After getting out to an early lead, the Centennial Colts (2-4) clawed their way back to steal one from the George Brown Huskies (1-5) in the dying seconds at Casa Loma Athletic Centre in Toronto, ON on Friday night (Nov 25).
HOW IT HAPPENED: Coming off a tough weekend swing trip the previous weekend, the Huskies were eager to try and get back into the win column against the visiting Centennial Colts. Both teams were in search of their second win of the season.
And the Huskies came out flying, blowing open an early 23-9 lead late in the first quarter behind seven points from rookie Jordyn Dawkins (Ajax, ON). The team shot a combined 50% from the floor, and 86% from the free throw line. George Brown continued to extend their lead into the second quarter, pulling ahead by as many as 19 points with four minutes to go in the period, up 36-17. But the Colts rallied in the second half of the frame, locking down their defense and holding the Huskies to only four points for the remainder of the quarter. The Huskies went into halftime holding a slight 40-36 advantage.
And that slight advantage is what would remain for either team as the second half wore on, with only two or three point advantages being seen on the scoreboard. Centennial at one point grew the lead to seven, but George Brown quickly brought it back down to tie the game back up.
Fans were glued to the edge of their seats in last 30 seconds of the game, starting with the Colts Rachel Seymour hitting one of two free throws to give Centennial a 74-69 lead. On the next trip down the floor, the Huskies converted on a Kiara Graham (1st Year) 3-pointer with 18 seconds left on the clock to pull her team to within one. Delaney Galera of Centennial was then fouled with nine seconds left in the game, but only made one of two free throws leaving an opening for the Huskies to counter, down two 74-72.
George Brown set up to run a set play for rookie guard Minori Fokushi, who drove hard to the basket and was fouled. But Fokushi could not convert at the line, missing both free through attempts. Graham then wrestled hard for the offensive rebound and a jump ball was called that was awarded to the Huskies.
With five seconds left to go on the clock, on the ensuing inbound play under the offensive basket, the Colts defense gave the Huskies no options and George Brown was forced into a turnover out of bounds. The Colts Marian Martin then hit two free throws the seal the Colts victory, 76-72.
Christianna Crooks of the Colts led all scorers with 31 points, while Jordyn Dawkins tallied 25 for the Huskies on 50% shooting from the floor.
The loss drops the Huskies to 1-5 on the season, and a 3-way tie for 6th place in the East Division with one game remaining before the holiday break.
UP NEXT: George Brown will look to close out the semester on a high night when they host the Georgian Grizzlies (1-5) on Friday December 2, 2022 at Casa Loma Athletic Centre at 6pm. Can't make it in person? Make sure to watch all the action live on our Huskies Livestream Channel!
